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Photography

Introduction to Department:

At Bishop Wordsworth’s School, the Art and Design Department inspires creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. From Year 7, pupils explore techniques across printmaking, digital art, ceramics, photography, and 3D design through ambitious projects. At GCSE, Fine Art and Graphic Communication build skills in drawing, painting, design, branding, and digital media, supported by specialist facilities and the Adobe suite. A Level courses in Art, Graphic Communication and Photography develop independent investigation, experimentation, and original work. Learning is enriched through gallery visits, workshops, and exhibitions, preparing pupils with confidence, cultural understanding, and the skills to progress to higher education or careers in the creative industries.

At BWS, pupils are given a broad Art and Design education, including Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Photography, and Art, Craft and Design. Skills and creativity are developed to allow progression to GCSE and A Level courses.
Pupils are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas independently, and reflect on a wide range of themes. Learning is enriched through visits to galleries, the coast, and London, inspiring work in a wider artistic context.

Assessment is formative and summative and those identified as requiring additional support are invited to lunchtime and after-school sessions. Pupils benefit from specialist staff, technical support, a print studio, kiln, and the full Adobe suite.

Results & Achievements:

Pupils consistently achieve strong results at GCSE and A Level and frequently progress to study at leading art and design universities.

Extra and Super-curricular:

Learning is enriched through gallery visits both locally and in London, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions, fostering cultural understanding, inspiration, and professional presentation skills. Recent visits have included The Tate, The Design Museum, The London Illustration Fair, Cartlidge Levine Studio, The Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery, and the V&A Museum. Pupils take part in school and national competitions, including the Rotary Young Artist Competition and the Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists’ competition, and exhibit work in the local community and at galleries such as Gallery 21. Pupils can also extend their practice beyond lessons, display work within school, and support younger students.

Learning by Key Stage

KS5
AQA: Photography A Level

The A Level Photography course at BWS develops creativity, technical confidence, and critical understanding through lens-based practice. Students respond independently to themes, recording research, experimentation, and reflection in sketchbooks and digital formats. An initial project based on the theme of Structures introduces camera skills, composition, lighting, depth of field, and genres such as portraiture, street photography, still life, and experimental work. Students explore both traditional and digital processes, including montage, manipulation, printing, and editing using Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom, before progressing to their own Personal Investigation.

Assessment comprises a Personal Investigation (60%), supported by a written investigation (1000–3000 words), and a Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (40%), completed in Year 13. Work is assessed against the four AQA objectives: developing ideas, refining work, recording observations, and presenting personal and meaningful responses.

The course supports the development of independent, reflective practitioners, encouraging experimentation across digital and traditional media. It provides a strong foundation for further study or careers in photography, visual arts, media, or related creative industries.

More information: Art & Design Specification

Staff

Head of Department: Samantha Lawrence sjl@bws-school.org.uk

Teachers of Art, Graphic Communication and Photography:

Art Technicians:

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